Applying pollution prevention to air quality programs

As a large installation, Eglin Air Force Base conducts numerous operations and activities in support of national defense. Many of these operations/activities are a direct source of air emissions. Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) evaluated these operations/activities for the purpose of identifying those that could be changed to reduce air emissions, regulatory exposure, and permitting and/or labor costs. This study applied root cause analysis techniques to minimize or eliminate these emissions. The study identified numerous potential options, many of which have been traditionally associated with pollution prevention efforts; however, by applying root cause analysis techniques, numerous other innovative and/or low-cost approaches to reducing air emissions were identified. Implementation of these options would result in a significant reduction in the annual quantity of air emissions at the base.